Desert thrills: Let’s paint this town red

VICTORVILLE — Even the parking
lot of the new local paintball park is tattered with multicolored
remnants of virtual battles, leaving no doubt in mind as you pull in,
you are entering a danger zone.

If you've never been paintballing, as was the case with me, the
one thing that you can't get off your mind is how much it will hurt.

The general manager of the Victorville Fairgrounds Giant
Paintball Park, Randy Bocelli provided no comfort when he said, "when
the paintball hits you, it'll be traveling around 200 mph."

The first time I got hit, it was in the ear and luckily my
required protective headgear shielded the impact and I suffered mere
splatter on my face and hair.

The second time, I felt a bit like Forrest Gump: like something had jumped up and bit me in the buttocks.

Yes, it hurts. Yes, there is a welt. And yes, it's worth it.

Despite knowing that there are only paintballs coming out of the
barrels of these guns, the course complete with walls, windows and
abandoned cars creates an adrenaline rush that is hard to beat.

The adrenaline is so high that it clouds the pain, at least until after the game is over.

The Victorville Fairgrounds Giant Paintball Park, which opened
in January, welcomes birthday parties, Bar Mitzvahs and even company
picnics. For those of you who have ever wanted to shoot your boss, now
you can.

"Everybody calls us a drug dealer, it's addicting," said Bocelli
who also owns Bring it On Paintball, Airsoft and Military Supply in
Victorville.

For the more weathered paintball veteran, there is a speed ball
course, where a semi-pro team from Yucca Valley practices and a
tournament will be held in June.

"It's a grown up chess game," said Gary Hiller, owner of The Krew paintball team.

The park also has a dedicated airsoft field.

For a beginner, it costs just $45 for use of a gun, paintballs, all day air and the much-needed headgear.

Just looking around, it is easy to see that it is a sport fit
for anyone. John Roe was there for the for the first time with his
10-year-old son Ian, who despite admitting being hit was painful, took
it like a champ and wants to return.

Jarrod Long, of Hesperia was out with his buddies after taking a four-year hiatus from the sport.

"It's just fun," said Long as he surveyed welts left on his body from the last battle.

According to the safety video, paintballing is classified as one
of the safest extreme sports out there, but only if the rules are
followed.

And from my experience that is nothing less than the truth.

The park is open every Saturday and Sunday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. For more information stop by Bring it On or call 241-9097.